The Nun (2018) is a supernatural horror film directed by Corin Hardy and produced by James Wan, the mastermind behind The Conjuring universe. As a prequel to the series, it dives into the origin of the demonic entity Valak, first seen in The Conjuring 2. The film is set in 1952 Romania and explores a dark chapter within the Warrens’ demon-fighting legacy.
Detailed Summary
Opening: A Suicide at the Abbey
The film begins with a haunting scene at the Carta Monastery in Romania, where two nuns are seen trying to retrieve a sacred relic. They’re clearly terrified of something inside the abbey. One of the nuns is dragged into the darkness, and the other — realizing the evil she faces — commits suicide by hanging herself from a window, a horrifying act that sets the entire plot into motion.
The Vatican Responds: Enter Father Burke and Sister Irene
When the Vatican hears of the nun’s suicide, they dispatch Father Burke (Demián Bichir), a priest experienced in exorcism, and Sister Irene (Taissa Farmiga), a young novitiate with visions, to investigate. The pair are guided by Frenchie (Jonas Bloquet), a local man who discovered the nun’s body. He brings a touch of levity, but he, too, is soon pulled into the horror.
Inside the Monastery: Secrets and Shadows
As the trio investigates, they are allowed inside the monastery — but only during the day. The sisters there warn them not to stay after dark, a warning they ignore (of course — it’s a horror movie).
Father Burke is attacked by a demon and almost buried alive, while Sister Irene experiences terrifying visions of demonic entities. She learns about the ancient evil residing in the monastery — Valak, a demon that has taken the form of a nun. The monastery was built over a gateway to hell, sealed by holy relics centuries ago, but bombings during WWII reopened the rift, letting the evil escape.
Sister Irene’s Visions and the Blood of Christ
Sister Irene begins to understand the severity of the threat and deduces that Valak is trying to escape into the world by possessing a living host. After exploring the catacombs, they find the relic containing the Blood of Christ, which is the only weapon strong enough to banish the demon.
Movie Ending
The climax unfolds beneath the monastery in the flooded catacombs where the portal to hell lies. Sister Irene willingly takes her vows and becomes a full nun, believing her faith will protect her. In a desperate final act, she confronts Valak and is nearly possessed. The demon drags her into the water and attempts to drown her.
At the last second, Irene spits the Blood of Christ (which she had placed in her mouth) into Valak’s face, banishing it back into the portal. The rift is sealed — but not before Frenchie revives her with CPR. As they all walk away, the monastery appears calm again.
But the story doesn’t end there. In a chilling twist, we see a mark on Frenchie’s neck — an inverted cross — suggesting that Valak has not been truly defeated but has instead possessed Frenchie. This directly ties the film to The Conjuring, revealing that Frenchie is actually Maurice, the man the Warrens attempt to exorcise in one of their earliest cases.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There is no post-credits scene, but there is an extended ending scene before the credits that ties directly into The Conjuring (2013). This scene shows Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) and Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) conducting a seminar and playing footage of the exorcism of Maurice — connecting the narrative dots between The Nun and The Conjuring series.
Type of Movie
The Nun is a supernatural horror film steeped in religious imagery, demonic possession, and gothic terror. It blends slow-burn suspense with jump scares and eerie atmosphere — classic trademarks of the Conjuring Universe.
Cast
- Taissa Farmiga as Sister Irene
- Demián Bichir as Father Burke
- Jonas Bloquet as Frenchie
- Bonnie Aarons as Valak / The Nun
- Ingrid Bisu as Sister Oana
- Charlotte Hope as Sister Victoria
Film Music and Composer
The haunting score is composed by Abel Korzeniowski, known for his emotionally resonant and gothic musical style. His work here relies heavily on organ tones, eerie chants, and sudden orchestral stabs to build a consistent sense of dread.
Filming Locations
- Romania, particularly at Corvin Castle and other historical Transylvanian locations.
- Many scenes were shot on-site in haunted or centuries-old locations, adding to the film’s authentic creepy aesthetic.
- The eerie setting plays a crucial role in the film’s tone — cold, damp monasteries, foggy forests, and torch-lit tunnels are central to the film’s tension.
Awards and Nominations
While the film wasn’t a major awards contender, it received some recognition:
- Nominated for Best Horror at the Golden Trailer Awards
- Garnered praise for sound design and cinematography in horror fan communities
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Taissa Farmiga, who plays Sister Irene, is the real-life younger sister of Vera Farmiga, who plays Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring.
- The filmmakers debated whether to use more CGI for Valak but chose practical makeup effects to maintain a realistic look.
- Bonnie Aarons had to wear her demonic nun costume for hours in cold, damp environments.
- The castle used was reportedly haunted — crew members reported strange noises and equipment failures.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by the Christian mythos of demonic possession and exorcism.
- Valak is based loosely on real demonology texts, though its nun appearance is unique to this universe.
- The film draws from classic horror staples like The Exorcist and The Omen, particularly in its religious themes and claustrophobic pacing.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- Several deleted scenes featured more background on the nuns of the abbey, including a subplot about one of them being mentally tormented by Valak.
- An alternate ending (cut for pacing) showed Frenchie starting to show signs of possession earlier.
- Some extended scenes of Sister Irene’s visions were also trimmed to keep runtime under two hours.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is no direct book adaptation, but novelizations and prequel comics expand the lore, offering more backstory about Valak and the monastery’s cursed history. The main difference in these versions is the deeper exploration of Valak’s origin, which the film only hints at.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening suicide scene, which sets a terrifying tone.
- Sister Irene walking through the cloister, seeing ghostly nuns praying silently.
- Valak emerging from the shadows in the catacombs.
- The climactic moment where Irene uses the Blood of Christ to banish Valak.
Iconic Quotes
- Sister Irene: “Wherever I go, the shadow of death follows me.”
- Father Burke: “There’s a presence here… one I’ve felt before.”
- Valak (telepathically): “You will not leave this place.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The inverted cross on Frenchie’s neck is a direct callback to The Conjuring.
- Sister Irene’s visions mirror those Lorraine Warren experiences in the main series, linking their spiritual sensitivities.
- The name “Maurice” is never fully emphasized until the end — a reveal that only fans of The Conjuring would immediately catch.
- The abbey’s layout is shaped like an inverted cross — a subtle, symbolic design choice.
Trivia
- The name “Valak” is taken from real demonology texts, where Valak is described as a child with wings riding a two-headed dragon.
- The film is the highest-grossing installment in The Conjuring Universe.
- A Romanian crew member reportedly quit after witnessing what she described as “unexplainable” activity on set.
- The cemetery seen in the film was a custom-built set that took weeks to construct — and was promptly destroyed by a storm.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy atmospheric horror with deep lore and unsettling religious themes, The Nun is a must-watch. It serves as a spine-chilling origin story for one of the most terrifying villains in modern horror. While the film isn’t the most critically acclaimed entry in the Conjuring universe, it’s undeniably eerie and plays well with classic gothic horror tropes.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Hallow (2015)
- The Nun 2 (2023)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Conjuring (2013)
- The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- Annabelle: Creation (2017)
- Insidious (2010)
- The Exorcist (1973)
- Sinister (2012)
- The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
